City of Mount Carmel City Council Nov. 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Judge brought the City Council meeting to order.
Present on Roll Call: Mayor Joe Judge Commissioners – Tom Meeks, Eric Ikemire Justin Dulgar Susan Zimmerman
Also, Present: City Administrative Assistant Ryan Turner, City Attorney Brady Waldrop
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mayor Judge requested a motion to approve the minutes of the last council meeting.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to approve the minutes of the meeting held on October 31, 2022. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar and Zimmerman voted Aye.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge reported the city welcomed Canadian Consul General Aaron Annable and Lieutenant Colonel Rob Christie of the Royal Canadian Air Force on Friday, November 11th, as they laid a wreath on Captain Bellenden Hutcheson’s grave at Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Carmel. Mayor Judge stated it was a very nice gesture by the Canadian Government for that service and thanked everyone locally, who also attended the event. Mayor Judge reported the VFW had a very nice Veteran’s Day Presentation on Friday as well.
Mayor Judge stated city hall is receiving several phone calls regarding property taxes and clarified it is the county’s duty to process the bills as well as send them to the residents in a timely manner.
Mayor Judge reiterated the city has been accepting applications for the SHIP (Small Home Improvement) Program with the deadline to submit an application being December 1st. Mayor Judge encouraged anyone interested in the program to please submit an application.
Mayor Judge stated he has been making visits to Oakview Manor as well as Holly Brook and asked individuals while out shopping for the holidays to please purchase a small gift for those residents as several of them do not have family to think of them during the holiday season.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks reported, in the past two weeks, the street department cleaned up around Rose Hill Cemetery ahead of the Veterans Day Program; cleaned out storm sewer intakes; picked up several piles of brush; burned the brush at the brush harbor; completed the steps on Market Street; poured concrete on Cherry Street, Erin Drive, and Division Street; prepped the trucks for the snow season; and assisted the leaf crew with leaf pick-up.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire stated, over the last two weeks, receipts totaled $219,353.00 with most of the monies coming from tax revenues while expenditures were at $114,957.00 and over all the budget is looking very well.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reported the wastewater department changed the oil in screw pumps one, two and three as part of the scheduled maintenance; primary clarifier number two was pumped out and cleaned; the Ficklin lift station pump number two overloaded so it was cleared and cleaned. Commissioner Dulgar emphasized to residents to please do not flush any type of wipes even the ones that are supposed to be “flushable”, as this caused the issue with the pump station.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the council consulted with Mike Witters regarding the Rural Wabash County Water District agreement and Mr. Witters made some minor changes. Commissioner Dulgar reported the agreement will be sent back to RWCWD for their review and he will hopefully present it at the next meeting for council approval.
Commissioner Dulgar reported Kieffer Brothers Construction has been working at the water treatment plant and had the reservoir bypassed to continue the valving/piping for the new water facility.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the water maintenance department have been very busy while also assisting the wastewater plant; checked and cleaned sewer mains; winterized both baseball fields and concession stand, the pickleball court, the bathrooms at the park and the water fountain on Oak Street.
COMMISSIONER SUSAN ZIMMERMAN – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Zimmerman reported, during the last two weeks, the fire department displayed the flag at the Veterans Day Celebration; visited the area schools and gave the children tours of the fire truck; and responded to eleven runs.
Commissioner Zimmerman reminded residents to be careful while using space heaters during the cold weather; make sure your fireplace is cleaned and the flue is open; do not heat things for extra warmth indoors that are not supposed to be heated indoors, such as a gas grill.
Commissioner Zimmerman stated the brush crew is out picking up leaves by running the routine route and emphasized it does take them awhile to complete a cycle. Commissioner Zimmerman asked residents to please be patient with the leave pick-up workers.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER
City Administrative Assistant Turner presented the one submitted bid for 1231 Bainum Street for Mayor Judge to open with the bid being from William Bates in the amount of $100.00. The council accepted the bid from Mr. Bates.
City Administrative Assistant Turner asked the council to consider selling another city owned property on Cherry Street, which is also vacant. City Administrative Assistant Turner stated the property is actually a double lot and suggested the property be sold with stipulations, such as requiring that a structure be built on the property by the potential buyer. After council discussion, it was decided that City Administrative Assistant Turner should move forward with preparing the paperwork for the selling of the property.
City Administrative Assistant Turner presented to the council Ordinance 2079 – addressing the variance of the setback of the Dollar General Store at West Third and Walnut Streets and to waive second reading.
CITY ATTORNEY – BRADY WALDROP
City Attorney Waldrop no report.
AIRPORT MANAGER – PARIS PENNINGTON
Airport Manager Pennington gave an overview of the fuel sales for the airport and stated overall the airport is doing well.
POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS
Police Chief McWilliams reported the Mount Carmel Police Department, along with the state police, participated in the active shooter drills with the school district and he thanked the district for allowing the officers to go through those motions.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth absent.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB
Public Works Director Gidcumb absent.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Meeks seconded to accept William Bates’ bid for 1231 Bainum Street. Accepted bid was for $100.00. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve Ordinance 2079, Waive second reading. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar, and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. The consent agenda contained first reading of Ordinance 2080 – enter into agreement with Rural Water as a back-up source for their water supply; approval of the paying of all bills bearing the
proper signatures. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Zimmerman motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to adjourn the meeting. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 5:22 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/11529/11-14-22_minutes.pdf
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